President Obama has nominated Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III to be the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army. The Army Vice Chief of Staff is the principal advisor and assistant to the Army Chief of Staff, the second-highest ranking officer in the US Army.

He is, currently, in charge of U.S. forces in Iraq and meeting the Dec. 31 withdrawal deadline. Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta announced Austin’s nomination, which includes reappointment to the rank of four-star general.

In 2003, he led the 3rd Infantry Division from Kuwait to Baghdad as as assistant division commander.

If the Senate approves, he will be the first African-American to achieve this position.

“As the first African-American to command a corps in combat, I can tell you that it is truly a humbling experience,” Austin said after his return to Fort Bragg.